A heavy downpour accompanied by thunderstorms surprised the residents of Bayamo in the Granma province this Sunday. These rains come after the severe flooding the region has experienced due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
CMKX Radio Bayamo shared a video of the phenomenon on its Facebook page. The images show powerful lightning strikes and a night sky with complete darkness due to a blackout in the area.
Although one might think that the people of Bayamo want nothing to do with the rain, the truth is that they witnessed the skies open up and appreciated the torrential downpour as a blessing amidst the prolonged shortage of drinking water.
“The only positive thing is that we got water to bathe,” commented a neighbor in the post, reflecting the general sentiment of relief and resignation in the face of the water crisis.
Many internet users agreed that the rain was a “divine act of mercy”, as the stored water will allow them to survive for a few more days. “That was a blessing from God who saw the people of Bayamo dying from lack of water,” expressed another resident.
Criticism of the local government and the Granma Aqueduct system was not absent. “At least they have water, because the government is useless; neither the aqueduct nor the tank trucks,” wrote an outraged user.
Others recalled that “without power, there is no pumping”, which leaves many neighborhoods without service even though the reservoirs are full after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
In addition to the heavy rain, power outages and strong winds were reported. “Heavy downpour with winds and lightning in Bayamo this afternoon and evening, plus the usual blackout that is a constant,” a neighbor commented.
The paradox remains painful. Granmenses have plenty of water in the reservoirs, but it is lacking in their homes. Meanwhile, they continue to look to the sky as their only hope.
Filed under:
